2022 day 11

2022 day 11

  Day  11

 

Day 11 and a bit warmer.  Which I am really glad to see.    I am looking forward to getting some work done in the garden, but it won’t be today.  Too much other stuff going on.  Oh well, all those soggy old wood chips that have been getting heavier and heavier will just have to wait to be spread in the vegetable boxes.  Perhaps it will dry out a bit in the coming week.  Good thing I have my trusty blue wheelbarrow.

The yarn below was a gift from My Daughter the Chef.  It is from the small CROFT FARM just slightly north of Portland, on Sauvie Island on the Columbia River. What I thought was particularly enchanting about this yarn is that it comes from RESCUE animals.

2022 day 11

For those of you new to this blog …I am involved in a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  —  Same dress.  100 days. Details are on tracywearswool.com. I am also taking the same 100 days to make some additional positive changes to develop daily habits in writing, art, knitting and eating better.  I will also be not buying anything but essentials, and giving away an item for each of the 100 days.

JANUARY 11, 2022 – DAY 11

 

day 11

This is a closeup of Blossom yarn —  which is 3 ply DK weight Huacaya alpaca and Suffolk sheep wool.  It was sheared in 2019 and blended in 2020.   You can contact thecroftfarm.com  I think it is so important to support these small businesses.

 

2022 day 11

Blue tie-dyed shirt will be going to a new home.  I got it on sale, and it is brand new — but too long for my liking.  Hopefully someone will love it. 

I am doing well on my other 100 day processes —  I decided to call them that instead of goals.

2022 day 11

One of my processes is to create art every day, so here is today’s drawing.  The folks in the 100daydresschallenge may recognize the dresses!  I am, of course, still wearing my dress, doing my duolingo, and not buying anything but essentials.  One day of healthy food lapse — but back on track.

Thanks for joining me on day 11 of my #tracywearswool & new habits journey.

Stay tuned for the next 89 days!

 

 

–Tracy

 

2022 day 11

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative stuff  that I get into!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

2022 day 10

2022 day 10

  Day  10

 

Day 10 dawned icy, cold, and foggy.  I was grateful that I didn’t have to be out on the slippery road. Instead, I got to sit in my comfy chair, working on my sweater, and listening to audio books.  For a few minutes, at least…until the dogs had to go out, and the recycling needed to be taken out, and I needed to get to my painting for the day.  And the creche still needs to be taken down… but that might wait until tomorrow.

I did pretty well on my other 100-day habit processes.  I made sure to get lots of water, ate well, knit, did my duolingo lesson, and woke up early.

And I started a new audio book, which I will talk about tomorrow!

2022 day 10

For those of you new to this blog …I am involved in a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  —  Same dress.  100 days. Details are on tracywearswool.com. I am also taking the same 100 days to make some additional positive changes to develop daily habits in writing, art, knitting and eating better.  I will also be not buying anything but essentials, and giving away an item for each of the 100 days.

JANUARY 10, 2022 – DAY 10

 

2022 day 10

Today, I bundled up into what has becoming somewhat of my uniform — willow, sweater, leggings, boots and pea coat.  It is just so darn comfortable and easy.  Just swap out the leggings and sweater.

This sweater was # 7 out of 14 that I knit last hear.

2022 day 10

I get a lot of questions about my sturdy boots… that I seem to wear all the time.  They are my go=-to in footwear for winter.  Made by Keen, they are 10-year-old Presidios.  And good news — they still make them!

2022 day 10

For Christmas, my daughter the chef gave me some wonderful art supplies, among them, some colored pencil sticks.  This was my first effort trying them out.  I think I am going to like using them!!

2022 day 10

I continued on straightening and decluttering.  And I finished up the second shirt drawer — short sleeve and 3/4 sleeve.  Settl4d on a few shirts to donate in the coming days, and today’s was the vintage gray number.

2022 day 10

Thanks for joining me on day 10 of my #tracywearswool & new habits journey.

Stay tuned for the next 90 days!

 

 

–Tracy

 

2022 day 10

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative stuff  that I get into!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

2022 day 5

2022 day 5

 Day  5

 

Day 5 was a busy one.  All the regular stuff, plus a trip to the Post Office to mail something to Holly, the beautiful daughter of a fellow “woolie” — someone who also did the 100 day dress challenge.

I had a pleasant trip to Trader Joes, and while putting away my daughter’s groceries, I noticed that her sink was not draining… and had backed up into the dish drainer side of the two-section sink.  So I got the plunger… wait, first I changed out of my dress…. and then proceeded to plunge the dishdrainer side while I was running the garbage disposal, and running water.  My daughter put  Queen on the Alexa device — and I plunged away to “we are the champions”. Seemed to drain, but then proceeded to fill up the sink again. I repeated the process several times, without success. So I stopped, and thought I had better get the snake. As I passed the bathroom, much to my horror, I realized that while I was plunging, the bathroom sink was throwing up a week’s worth of coffee-grounds and eggshells, and a two-day old taco bell chicken bowl… all over the bathroom counter and floor and it was running into the living area.

I took apart the kitchen sink plumbing and snaked it.  I took apart the bathroom sink and plunged it.  I put everything back together, and it is still clogged.   We are trying Draino industrial stuff… before we cave in and call the plumber.  Fingers crossed.

 

2022 day 5

For those of you new to this blog …I am involved in a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  —  Same dress.  100 days. Details are on tracywearswool.com. I am also taking the same 100 days to make some additional positive changes to develop daily habits in writing, art, knitting and eating better.  I will also be not buying anything but essentials, and giving away an item for each of the 100 days.

JANUARY 5, 2022 – DAY 5

 

2022 day 5

Dressing was a snap, tossed on the dress, and old flannel shirt, a belt and my new favorite: the FORAGER POUCH which made a great purse.  Wore it like a fanny pack — only it is easier to slip things in and out… and looks a lot more hip! 

2022 day 5

Worked a bit on sweater #1: Alberta Summer in a wonderful Noro dk that I got from Webs. I am halfway down the yoke — it is knit top-down in one piece, with a lace yoke.  

 

2022 day 5

This is my drawing of the day — ink with watercolor wash.

Winsor & Newton watercolor paints, and my favorite little Pentalic 3 x 4″ Pocket Sketchbook Traveler Journal.

2022 day 5

Messy palette — I like the small size – perfect for on-the-go “Plein Aire” meetups with the Urban Sketcher group. 

Today’s giveaway was a sweet little barn owl statuette!

2022 day 5

Thanks for joining me on day 5 of my #tracywearswool & new habits journey.

Stay tuned for the next 95 days!

And look, someone thinks Titus is a pillow!  

 

–Tracy

 

2022 day 5

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative stuff  that I get into!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

2022 day 3

2022 day 3

 Day  3

 

Day 3 was still pretty cold… but I managed to get out in the garden and yank out some of the frozen nasturtiums and dahlias.  They looked so pretty right up to the freeze. Not so much anymore.  Salvador Dali called and wants his nasturtiums back. They were on borrowed time and lasted pretty long into the season. Parting is such sweet sorrow…

2022 day 3

For those of you new to this blog …I am involved in a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  —  Same dress.  100 days. Details are on tracywearswool.com. I am also taking the same 100 days to make some additional positive changes to develop daily habits in writing, art, knitting and eating better.  I will also be not buying anything but essentials, and giving away an item for each of the 100 days.

JANUARY 3, 2022 – DAY 3

 

2022 day 3

Today was a first… I went and shot pool with a ladies’ group here in Portland.  Had a wonderful time. Didn’t embarrass myself too much and met a few new friends.

This is what my garden looked like about a month ago.

2022 day 3
I continued my daily habit of art with a line drawing… only to realize that the ink was not waterproof… so I colored in with some pencils instead of doing watercolor.
2022 day 3

Best of all, Number 1 and I went to see a live show of THE MOTH — a show carried by NPR and Oregon Public Broadcasting.  It was so much fun and was held at The Old Church Concert Hall downtown.

2022 day 3

Today’s giveaway was a Yoda talking candy dispenser.  

I am super happy to be purging myself of all these little things that I manage to have acquired along the way.  100 things, 100 days. Mostly to appreciative folks in my neighborhood Buy Nothing Group!

2022 day 3

Thanks for joining me on day 3 of my #tracywearswool & new habits journey.

Stay tuned for the next 97 days!

Here is  Grandog Titus taking over my chair — in December before the freeze– you can see the green nasturtium leaves!  

 

–Tracy

 

2022 day 3

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative stuff  that I get into!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

gypsy wagon knits basics hat

gypsy wagon knits basics hat

My name is Tracy, and I am excited to share tips and techniques, patterns, and knitting info — yarn and book reviews, products, and all kinds of knitting fun!   And Stay tuned for our new YouTube Gypsy Wagon Knits Basics videos on the Gypsy Wagon Knits YouTube Channel! (link below)

basics hat

It’s the BASICS  HAT!

SUPPLIES:

YARN: Worsted/Aran Weight- 50 gr for little kid, 100 gr for all other sizes. The stripes are from the self-striping yarn, but you can do solids, too!)

I used some yarn a friend brought from Iceland… but these work well, too:

Euro Self Striping

-or-

Self Striping KuKa

TOOLS:

US 7 32″ circular needle

US 9 32″ circular needle

Stitch markers and needle

GAUGE

5 stitches =1″ in stockinette stitch, using larger needles

SIZES

Little Kid, Big Kid, Adult Small/Medium, Adult Large

To fit actual head circumference of 18-19, 20-21, 21-23, 23-24 inches

Finished Circumference: Approx 16, 17, 19, 21 inches

Finished Height: 7, 8.5, 9.5, 10 inches

PATTERN:

Using Knitted or Long Tail Cast On, cast 72, 80, 88, 96 stitches onto smaller circular needle

Connect using magic loop method, see the video below.

*K2, P2,*around until 1, 1, 1, 2 inches from cast-on edge.

Change to larger circular needles

Knit every round until the piece measures 7 8.5, 9, 10 inches from cast-on edge.

***NOTE: If you need to join a new ball of yarn, try the RUSSIAN JOIN  – video tutorial below!

CROWN

First Round: *K5, s1,k2tog,psso* repeat from * to end of round. [48 (54, 60, 66, 72) stitches remain]
Knit 1 round.
Third Round: *K3, s1,k2tog,psso* repeat from * to end of round. [32 (36, 40, 44, 48) stitches remain]
Knit 1 round.
Fifth Round: *K1, s1,k2tog,psso* repeat from * to end of round. [16 (18, 20, 22, 24) stitches remain]
Sixth Round: *K2tog through back loop* repeat from * to end of round. [8 (9, 10, 11, 12) stitches remain]

Cut yarn and thread tail onto a tapestry needle. Thread tail through remaining stitches.
Pull taut and bring tail to the inside of the hat to weave in.

SUPPLIES

US 7 32″ circular needle

US 9 32″ circular needle

Stitch markers and needle

 

basics hat

If you missed the BASICS video tutorials, click below:

  1. Long-tail cast-on:  CLICK HERE 
  2. The Knit Stitch: CLICK HERE 
  3. Knit and Purl Stitches: CLICK HERE
  4. K2, P2 Ribbing: CLICK HERE
  5. Checking your Gauge: CLICK HERE
  6. Magic Loop: CLICK HERE
  7.  The Russian Join: CLICK HERE

A playlist for all the videos: CLICK HERE

Hope you enjoy my pattern!

Thanks for stopping by! Click HERE to get 50% off a pattern of your choice when you use the coupon code HAPPY at checkout on my Ravelry Page.

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integrity, the end of self-betrayal, and the dress

integrity, the end of self-betrayal, and the dress

So, I am reading… or rather listening to… a great book: The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck.  And actually, I am surprised that I ordered it.

It was just one of those snap decisions, that if I had thought about, I would have said Nahhhh…

Mostly, when I think about integrity, I think of some moralistic and slightly judgey concept.  As is Good People ALWAYS act with integrity. (And after listening to this book, I would have to ask… what does that mean, exactly?)

But this is NOT what the author is writing about.  She speaks of Integrity, which comes from the Greek word integer… as being one with yourself. And when you are not true to yourself, you are out of integrity– and you are split.  And that is the basis for all suffering.

Now I must confess, I am not done with the book.  But what I have read so far… I love!  Especially how she incorporates little exercises that make you stop and think.

And then there is lying.  Lying to others, as well as yourself.   And if I understand it all correctly, whenever we lie… we are betraying ourselves, betraying our true nature. Yikes.

integrity

I’m not done with the book, but this is how far I have gotten.  And I think I am on the best part — but that is what I have said about all the previous chapters.

And Martha Beck has been there.  Seriously been through some trying times. She presents these heavy duty concepts with a bit of light hearted humor. Her examples seem Real.  So how does the dress come in to all this???

For those of you new to this blog …I am involved in a 100-Day Challenge, put on by Wool&  —  Same dress.  100 days. (And yes, you can wash it!) Part of my reasons for deciding to do this was to simplify my life, especially with my lifestyle.

I met up with my fellow Wooligan and friend Carolyn, and sat in with her group that sings together.  Moving. Inspiring. Touching. A Capella. And the concept behind the group is a whole ‘nother blog post.

Between songs, we talked about real things. Honest and unpretentious things. Meaningful things. And I joined in singing a bit, with these people I had just met — well except for Carolyn. We sat in the front yard, in a circle, some in the sun, and some in the shade of the magnificent Japanese Maple. and it was relaxed and joyful, and there was nothing self-conscious about it.

I wasn’t worried if I looked ok, or if my hair was a mess, or if I hit the “right” notes.  No one was there to impress anyone else. And I had a wonderful time, and genuinely felt true to myself.

I was floating on the high harmony of being in integrity.

Get the book. At least… CHECK IT OUT HERE!  Worth every minute.

Progress on the Garden Project at Number 1’s house:

integrity
integrity

And I dyed my Iron Gray Rowena with Rit Black to make this wonderful midnight blue!!

integrity

As part of the challenge, I will be posting my daily outfits on blog posts as well as social media with the hashtag #tracywearswool — please follow along — and see all the creative outfits that I can come up with!

SOME OF MY RECENT POSTS:

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